Environmental study for Rashid and Idko districts, el Behira Governorate, Egypt by using remote sensing and geographic information system techniques : 1-land and water resources assessment for sustainable agricultural development

Abstract EN

The three main Nile Delta wetland ecosystems, Manzala, Burullus and Idko lagoons, are among the most ecologically important and productive habitats in Egypt.

The study area located between 31o 10\ and 31 o30 \ N and 30 o 10\ and 30o 35\ E with total area about 104522 fed.

The study area includes Idko and Rashid Districts, Behira Governorate, Egypt.

Rashid district covers about 47312 fed., Idko district covers about 33503 fed., and Idko Lake covers about 23707 fed.

Seventeen soil profiles were dug in Idko district and twenty six soil profiles were dug at Rashid district.

Water samples were collected to characterize their chemical properties 42 irrigation water samples, 7 drainage water samples and 24 water table samples.

The soil mapping units extracted from the overlay of the main soil properties layers in the GIS environment such as soil depth, soil salinity, total calcium carbonate and soil texture.

10 soil units found in the study area.

According to the model prediction, most of the study area was classified as (C3 aw, kh), which indicated moderately capability with available water and hydraulic conductivity as limiting factor which covered an area about 41.37% of the total area mostly focused in Rashid district followed by (C3 t, aw), which indicated moderately capability with available water and texture class as limiting factor which covered an area about 34.53% of the total area mostly focused in the area in between the two districts and the area closed to Idko lake followed by (C4 aw, t, ece), which indicated low capability with available water, texture class and soil salinity as limiting factor concentrated in the coastal area at Rashid district and very closed to Idko lake at Idko district